Page 100 of Running
“Yeah, let me get my stuff too.”
As we walk out, it hits me that we’re probably not going to spend time together for another week. Although the Waves game this weekend is at home…
“I’ll be at the game Sunday,” I mention as we get to our cars. “Jessica and I are going together.” I don’t mention that she’s probably going to spend the whole time grilling me about him.
“Oh yeah?” he says. “You want to come over after?”
He throws it out so quickly, I don’t even have time to think of what it means to add another date together this week.
“Yes, sounds great.”
“See you then, Goldie.”
He starts to bend down to get in his car, but then pauses and turns back my way.
“My first touchdown Sunday will be for you.”
I head back to my condo after class, and sit down on my sofa as soon as I’ve chucked my school bag and my travel bag inside the door.
What a twenty-four hours. I haven’t even had time to process what Landon mentioned—that he doesn’t need my help anymore as his personal assistant. But as I think about it, I can feel some stress unravel in my gut.
One less thing to do. It’s nice to have that off my plate.
As if he feels his ears burning, Landon’s name flashes on my screen right then.
He texts a lot more than calls, so I’m a little anxious what it could be about when I pick it up.
“Hey, Gracie. You home or at school?”
“Home now.” He has me on speaker. “Are you out?”
“Yeah, I’m driving back to the house from practice. It was funlast night, thanks for coming to dinner. With Rori around more, I thought it’d be nice for you to get to know her better.”
“Definitely. Plus, for your away games, we can watch together at your place, keep each other company. It’s great, Landon.”
I hear his turn signal in the background, and he takes a second to respond.
“Why are you calling me while you’re driving?”
“Sorry, sorry. I wanted to sneak in this call before I’m at the house with Rori.”
“Okay.” I’m now very curious what this could be about.
“So Rori’s twenty-first birthday is in two weeks, right before our bye week, when we won’t have a game. I’ve been in touch with her best friend Maggie, and I’m going to organize a surprise trip to the Caribbean for a week. Me, her, and some of her friends.”
“Wow, that’s incredible.” My brother is all-in when he’s committed to something. Or now, someone.
“Yeah, Maggie’s a pro tennis player too. Actually, all of her friends coming on the trip are on the tour. So she’ll be able to practice for the WTA Finals.” I hear him flip on the turn signal again. “You can totally come if you want?”
I can’t afford to miss that much school in my last semester. “I have to stay for classes, Landon. I’m so sorry. It would be a lot of fun.”
He doesn’t miss a beat. “Don’t feel bad at all, Gracie. I thought that might be your answer. I’m chartering a plane and bringing Grover with us, so you don’t have dog sitting duties or anything. But if you wouldn’t mind checking on the house while I’m gone, that would be great.”
He says the last request like he knows I won’t say no, even though it sounds awfully like the “personal assistant” duties I was just relieved of. Since stopping by his place will be easier from Johnson’s house, maybe I’ll time my house checks with my sleepovers there.
“Okay, no problem. You guys will have so much fun. Yourbirthday’s only two weeks after hers, so you can celebrate that too.”
“We’ll make this trip about Rori, since the boys will come for mine, and I’ll have my moment then.”
